Day Three - Aiguines circular route - 38km

A tough day up and around the gorge, with for me survival being the main aim, I was very depleted from the previous day. I took my camera around with me most days and today I decided was a good opportunity to use it, the views were breathtaking, high ridges early on, deep gorges later. After a steep drop down to the lake we seemed to climb forever, 1276m was an early high point, followed by steep descents into the gorge and another river crossing. Being a popular area for walkers we received plenty of encouragement, a welcome distraction from another tough day. The climb out of the gorge was pure pain, very steep climbs with long reaches which stiff tired legs did not want to climb, my stomach was refusing water and food was impossible. At the next aid station the doctor asked how I felt.

"Stiff legs, cramp, tired, I feel sick, can t take fluids I want to sleep." I said.

"It's normal". He replied!!

I managed to drink some "Coke" and lick the salt off a Tuc biscuit and felt slightly improved and continued on, a similar diet at the next aid station seemed to give me more energy and I knew I could finish. True to form the organisers had saved the best till last, 4k of technical climb against a radiator of a mountain before a steep descent and short ascent to the finish. We passed the rows of café tables to great rounds of applause and there was the "Arrive" banner.

Hot, yes. Tired, yes but with a sense of joy and elation beyond previous experience.

Summary

Huge congratulations and much respect to Steve Sharp - 6th overall, Jim Hutton - 17th, Ray Ziel - 29th and Steven Seaton 39th, I came 34th. The winner was 52yr old Marco Olmo from Italy in 14hr 16min 35sec, First Lady was an Italian Giuliana Rizzo in 19:03:26 (24th overall), last person in was at 31:58:13. There were 13 British competitors in total - who all performed magnificently - out of an entry of a total of 147 starters (95 finishers).

It is a tough race, but in the most stunningly beautiful surroundings I have seen, not necessarily something I would do again (but time changes perspectives!, however I will visit the region again. With a cost of about £230-00 this race represents very good value for money as it includes all meals, camping and an extensive support network (including helicopter).

Aiguines is about 120km north of Marseilles but is not easily accessible by public transport so car hire is essential, several Brits flew to Nice and drove up whilst a few drove all the way. Details of the race can be obtained from Jolyon Crosthwaite, 22 Avenue Marie Reynoard, 38100, Grenoble France. Tel (evenings) 003 34 76 23 36 33